University becomes refuge in Nicaragua unrest

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Where they once arranged their lives around a class schedule, students at the Autonomous University of Nicaragua now organize themselves around watch schedules, always keeping an eye on their adversaries: the Nicaraguan government and allied youth groups.

Students have barricaded themselves inside their school, stacking desks to limit access points to buildings. They say it’s the only place they feel safe and they’ve been joined by students from other schools.

“We feel safer than in the streets or in our homes where they come to terrorize us, kidnap us or kill us,” said John Cerna, an engineering student.